Aquino maintains he won’t sign waiver on bank accounts

JARO, Iloilo–Not now. Not ever.

Saying he already signed the waiver in favor of the Ombudsman in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, President Benigno Aquino III on Friday said he no longer needs to sign any waiver of the confidentiality of his bank accounts.

Mr. Aquino agreed that he made such a promise when he was still a candidate but indicated he already fulfilled the campaign pledge when he executed his SALN that also gave the Ombudsman authority to look into government documents pertaining to his wealth.

“I have already signed. If I’d sign again, drama na lang ’yun (that will only be just drama),” Mr. Aquino said.

Malacañang on Thursday said the President won’t sign any waiver “at this time” in the wake of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s recent conviction and removal from office for his failure to disclose millions of pesos and of dollars in his SALN.

Abigail Valte, one of Mr. Aquino’s spokespersons, said doing so would be like placing the President, who has not been accused of graft, in the same category as the ousted Corona.